Mayor: $45M Development Would 'Breathe New Life' Into Underused Salem Block
Salem city councilors approved what is expected to be the first step toward a new $45 million mixed-use development at the intersection of Washington and Dodge streets.
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At their meeting at City Hall Thursday night, Salem City Council members unanimously approved a motion to designate a 29,000-square-foot parcel off of Washington Street surplus, paving the way for a new $45 million mixed-use development that Mayor Kim Driscoll hopes will revitalize an underutilized downtown block.
RCG, a developer based in Somerville, is hoping to erect a five-to-six story building on a parcel bordered by Washington and Dodge streets with space for a hotel, retail space, offices and housing units.
Prior to Thursday night's council meeting, we sat down with Driscoll at her office to discuss the project, local residents' parking concerns and what the development could mean for the future of the city.
"We see the proposed project as an opportunity to extend the downtown," Driscoll said, adding "it will give us the ability to have that alfresco dining and those wide sidewalks that pedestrians love."
The council's decision Thursday night means the space will soon be put out to bid and area developers are now free to send in proposals.
"We want to assure that we are getting a quality development that's attractive and fits in with a historic downtown and is also hip and urban," Driscoll said.
What do you think of RCG's proposal? What are your concerns?
Let us know in the comments section below.
Liv
9:36 am on Friday, March 1, 2013
I would assume that the housing being build is a condo building. In terms of downtown condos, what percentage of RCG's Derby Lofts is currently filled? Obviously it's filled enough if they want to erect another condo building of the same size. What happened to the proposed RCG project of building a similar complex behind the fire station on Derby?
KlassySalem
11:11 am on Friday, March 1, 2013
I believe when the appeared before city council that they stated that they'd expect any residential component to start as rental. They also said that there is very little difference in the way they'd build a rental unit vs. a condo unit. They sounded more interested in the retail/hotel/commercial aspects.
The total project plan as of now is for over 200 parking spaces. I'm having a hard time finding much to disagree with.
The city and RCG couldn't agree on plans for the front street block project. It was originally supposed to take the parking lots and incorporate the Salem News building in a big block development. RCG bought the Salem News building and completed the smaller project there now.
A.
2:09 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
I still say that until they clean up that community, shut down the Lafayette "hotel", stop the drugs and gangs around harbor st and Lafayette, theyll never attract the "hip, urban" stores they want in that location
john
2:40 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
We don't need them according to Boston Magazine. Salem has the best shopping district in the state.
Carolyn Costain
3:31 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Speaking of down town, I would like to know how much was spent to build the walking mall and in what year it was built on "Essex st." Then I would like the cost of ripping it all out and redesigning it and turning it back into a drivable street. I would like to see the actual cost and the waste of taxpayer "Totals" on that project aside from the the many others on the table.
Edward
8:42 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
If that was paid for with Federal money back then, I think the city is going to have to jump through more than a few hoops, if they want to tear it all up and put down pavement.
john
6:03 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
It seems to me that when you sell public property to private enterprise that it should not have a negative impact on taxpayers. Having said that,what impact will these private parking spaces have on the city owned garages? If Salem really wants to benifit from selling property then sell Winter Island to someone that will do something with it. We gave away Liberty St to PEM(tax exempt) and now we will sell those meter spots and reinstall those meters elseware. The dream is the cruise ships come in and fill 3 hotels,the reality is the cruise ships don't come and 3 hotels don't survive.
Carolyn Costain
7:03 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
The parking will most likely be for residents of the development with only 5 spaces for the public. Just like at the Jefferson buildings on Bridge st.
john
12:23 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
So where do the hotel guests park ?
Edward
8:50 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Here's an idea! For every new commercial development built in the city, the residential property taxes are lowered.
James R. Willis Jr.
11:54 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Edward, your suggestion is what most elected officials promise before elections.. Theoretically the only way to lower residential tax rates is through a growing commercial base. The problem is that when writing an annual budget, the city factors the new tax revenue toward an increase in spending, not relief for residential taxpayers.
Bill
11:57 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Exactly James, - taxes never go down because the politicians create crisis's to spend it.
Kim Madrid
8:52 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
I'm sorry bur we don't need anymore expensive condos we have enough of those. We most definitely need to clean our streets with the panhandler, the shoplifters, alcoholic and drug addicts. They will never do, because we will always help them with money, like welfare and SSI and with housing. The ones that need help, don't get it.
Diane H
6:13 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Since we are now classified as a "gateway city" you can expect more of the same. Welcome to the new Lynn or the new Chelsea. The growing homeless infiltration, drug issues, panhandlng issues etc will only get worse under the new plan. you say we don't need more expensive condos???? How much do you think the condos above Firehouse are now worth vs what the originals buyers paid???? On top of that, they are all now wrapped in plastic or something as they were built with shoddy construction...so let's give away more land and let RCG build some more shoddy buildings...yahooooooo.
Danielle
11:23 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Oh look! More places to BUY stuff! Seriously, doesn't this city have all the bases covered there?! Is there anything you CAN'T find in Salem, (and I mean that part as a compliment) but why not put in something this place REALLY needs - ANOTHER PARKING GARAGE!!! A BIG ONE!!
Joseph K. Landsman
4:08 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
It's nice to know that our Mayor is overjoyed at this new source of revenue...as she stated, "it will fill the city's coffers." Wouldn't it be nice if she felt the same way about catering to the people who live here, bring families, money and businesses which add to Salem's base...instead of pandering to the drinking, carousing, vandalism and pack mentality that roams on and speeds down our streets at all hours...